Hi Rainier, I wasn’t troubled about Rafa’s first two matches but I am concerned about Dzumber. Just seeing his name caused me some unease. Once I looked him up I realized it was at the 2016 Miami Open that Rafa lost the first set to this opponent.

Only the 2nd match into the tourney after injury he already displayed truly high level of play.

Mayer when he was on is a dangerous player. He has the game. Just not the consistency or a top guy’s mentality (not so in this match!). He almost beat Fed in Shanghai once, holding 5 Bps and that is his favourite court.

Rafa was fully aware of it. I also fully expected him to go all out as well.

I’m glad he did. Only not too glad that the mach took almost 3 hours for a straightsetter and that is even a bit longer than Fed’s 5setters in the USO last year.

“Yeah, is not always the same. When you have a break in the serving for the match or serving for the set, there is always some breaks. Of course, is not a good thing.

But in this case particularly I personally was not losing the game because I was too nervous, because I felt too much tension. He played a great game, all the returns in, very long, playing so aggressive, hitting all the balls super strong, and having success.”

He gives full credit to Mayer. That’s gracious but mostly being fair. Didn’t expect anything less from Rafa and also that’s why I wasn’t disappointed about the break but more congratulating Mayer for this brave play getting rewarded.